Director, CFO Advisory

Stout • San Diego, CA

1d • $145,000 - $300,000

About The Position

The Director, CFO Advisory leads client engagements that improve financial and operational performance and create sustainable value. The role partners with CFOs, executive leadership teams, and private equity sponsors on finance transformation, operational improvement, working capital optimization, cost reduction, margin enhancement, and post-acquisition value creation. It translates complex financial and operational information into recommendations and initiatives that improve profitability, cash flow, and business performance.

The Director serves clients from middle-market businesses to large organizations across industries, including private equity-backed and corporate environments. Responsibilities span finance and operating model assessments, financial modeling, implementation planning, executive advising, engagement and team management, mentoring, business development, and contributions to the growth of Stout’s CFO Advisory practice. The position also identifies opportunities to apply technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to financial analysis, reporting, and business processes.

Candidates need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 10 or more years of relevant experience. An MBA or other relevant advanced degree is preferred. The role calls for strong expertise in finance transformation, working capital, cost and margin improvement, financial analysis, and client engagement leadership. The stated compensation range is $145,000–$300,000, with anticipated eligibility for an annual bonus plan. Stout describes a comprehensive Total Rewards program, flexible work schedules, and a discretionary time off policy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in finance transformation, management consulting, operational improvement, corporate finance, or transaction-related value creation.
• Strong understanding of corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, operational finance, and business transformation.
• Demonstrated experience leading finance transformation, performance improvement, or value creation initiatives.
• Expertise in working capital optimization, including inventory management, cash conversion, and order-to-cash process improvement.
• Experience identifying and implementing SG&A cost reduction and margin enhancement opportunities.
• Ability to evaluate operations and financial performance to identify profitability and cash flow improvements.
• Strong financial modeling, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities, including translating findings into practical recommendations.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives involving finance, operations, and executive leadership.
• Proven ability to manage complex client engagements and lead cross-functional project teams.
• Experience presenting financial and operational recommendations to CFOs, C-suite executives, and private equity stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and demonstrated ability to develop client relationships and contribute to business development.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage competing priorities and demanding timelines.
• Relationship-focused approach to client service, teamwork, and stakeholder management.
• Familiarity with financial systems, ERP platforms, business intelligence tools, and emerging technologies used in finance transformation.
• Interest in using AI and automation to improve financial analysis, operational efficiency, and decision-making.
• Ability to adapt to changing client-imposed deadlines and work across strategic planning and hands-on implementation.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or other relevant advanced degree.
• Experience in a consulting or advisory environment, corporate finance leadership role, private equity portfolio operations team, or similar setting.
• Experience supporting private equity-backed businesses, post-acquisition integration, or value creation programs.
• Industry experience in manufacturing, consumer products, distribution, healthcare, business services, or other operationally complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead CFO Advisory engagements focused on financial and operational performance improvement, cost reduction, margin enhancement, and value creation.
• Partner with CFOs, executive leadership teams, and private equity sponsors to develop and execute finance transformation and operational improvement initiatives.
• Assess and improve working capital management, including inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable, order-to-cash processes, and cash conversion.
• Lead post-acquisition value creation, including synergy realization, financial performance improvement, and strategic transformation.
• Identify and execute SG&A cost reduction and margin improvement opportunities through assessments, process improvements, and operating model enhancements.
• Assess finance functions, processes, and operating models for efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness.
• Develop financial models, business cases, and performance metrics to support executive decisions and measure outcomes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to improve financial visibility, accountability, and operational execution.
• Advise CFOs and executive teams; present findings, recommendations, and implementation plans.
• Manage multiple client engagements, including scope, deliverables, budgets, timelines, and team performance.
• Mentor and develop junior professionals through coaching, technical guidance, and engagement leadership.
• Participate in business development by identifying opportunities, developing proposals, and expanding client relationships.
• Identify opportunities to use technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve analysis, reporting, and processes.
• Contribute to the growth of Stout’s CFO Advisory practice through service development, thought leadership, and relationship building.
• Adapt to changing client deadlines, organize competing priorities, and move between strategic recommendations and hands-on implementation.
• Build trusted executive relationships and collaborate in keeping with Stout’s stated core values and commitment to client service.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Total Rewards program with competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness options.
• Anticipated eligibility to participate in an annual bonus plan.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Discretionary time off policy.
• Ongoing training, mentorship, employee resource groups, and clear performance feedback.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director